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Richland County HHS reports near‑balanced 2024 budget, shifts staffing costs in 2025 draft
Summary
At a meeting of the Community and Health Services Standing Committee, HHS staff reported a roughly balanced 2024 position, reviewed recent purchases including a pharmaceutical refrigerator, and said the 2025 budget was adjusted after filling a contracted mental‑health therapist position internally—saving about $150,000.
At a meeting of the Community and Health Services Standing Committee, HHS staff reviewed program spending, recent capital purchases and proposed changes to the 2025 draft budget.
Stephanie, HHS staff, said the department’s September packet highlights included new caregiver and memory groups through the ADRC and that the public health unit is “now fully staffed” after Brandon Alexander transitioned into a public health specialist role. “We had our first successful drug court graduate,” Stephanie added, noting staffing gains in behavioral health.
On expenditures, Speaker 3 said the department paid for a pharmaceutical refrigerator, finance software and a phone upgrade from the spending plan and that a recent invoice for network switches will appear on the next report. During questions about the refrigerator cost a committee member asked how much it was; Speaker 3 referenced figures discussed during the meeting (audio was unclear but figures near $10,000 and $8,960 were mentioned in committee discussion).
Reviewing the 2024 budget, HHS staff told the committee the year‑to‑date position was “pretty close” to balanced with about a $9,000 estimated positive variance and that program utilization averaged about 55% versus an anticipated 58%. Staff cautioned that revenue timing rather than unusual spending is the main uncertainty.
On the 2025 draft budget, Speaker 3 said conversations with county leaders led to removing a contracted mental‑health therapist line after an internal hire filled the role. Speaker 2 said converting the role from contract to employee “will save us about a hundred and $50,000.” Staff also said projected increases for raises and insurance remain in the draft.
Contract monitoring discussion noted a target utilization around 50%–58% and higher spending with some providers (Speaker 3 cited Driftless). Staff also flagged difficulties obtaining state CLTS reports, which has delayed provider data updates.
The committee did not take additional action on the budget at the meeting; staff said the department will continue monitoring utilization and that capital expenditures and contract renewals will return on future agendas.
